A Letter To My Skinny Self

[Bedhead 158]

This is a letter that I wrote from my overweight self to my skinny self. I thought that since we're all on this crazy roller coaster together, you guys may get something from it so I decided to share.

Dear Skinny Bedhead,

I don't know what we look like, what we're up to, or how long the winding road was for us, but I do know this- there are a few things that I want to say to you.

It seems like we've been fat since the Dawn of Time... or at least since the age when body images start to really matter. Through all of these years there have been so many excuses: Injuries. Surgeries. Pregnancies. Illnesses. No more excuses. Excuses are easy to make. Changes aren't. But it doesn't matter anymore because the biggest change (surgery) has been made, and since I'm writing to my skinny self- I have to assume that we finally stopped using excuses as protection.

Remember all of those nights sitting on the couch in front of the TV eating ice cream and Jax? Remember spending hours on Pinterest pinning outfits that we loved and wanted to wear someday but never really thought we'd be able to? Don't ever let us go back to that again. Don't dream about a life instead of having a life. I need you to be stronger than me, even though we're one in the same. I couldn't do it, no matter how many times I lost the weight, so I need you to be strong and never turn back like I did all of those times.

Don't get discouraged by stretchmarks, sagging skin, or hair loss. Right now none of that matters. What matters is getting healthy and being able to to comfortably get on the floor to play, to go on rides at the fair, to ride the stupid warhorse at the Ren Fest. The kids. The kids are what matter. Being healthy and full of energy & life for those amazing little people who deserve so much more than a fat, lazy, tired, depressed mother. I'm ok with saggy skin and Hair loss if I get all of those wonderful moments instead.

Take pictures. Take a LOT of pictures, every chance you get. For years we've hidden behind the camera and there are thousands of pictures of daddy with the kids, but almost none of mommy with the kids. Change that. Smile huge, loving smiles.

Teach the kids (our daughter especially) to love their bodies and treat them right. Make sure not to ever give them self esteem issues, but at the same time be sure to teach the absolute importance of living healthy. Do not ever let them become what we became. Be their support, their guidance, their teacher, and their friend. Don't be the voice of their self-hate.

Never forget that we were fat. Don't ever look at an overweight person and judge them. Don't ever be cruel or snide or hateful. Not everyone can or will make this journey for a myriad of reasons that are nobody's business but their own. Always remember how much it hurt. Always remember the rude glances, the harsh words, and the utter desolation of obesity. Don't take this amazing gift for granted. It so easily could have not happened for us. We're lucky. Most people aren't so lucky. Be a candle in the darkness for those people. Uplift them, support them, love them unconditionally.

But most of all, uplift, support, and love US unconditionally. Don't hate me for what I did to our body. Don't look back with bitterness or scorn. We learned so much through our battle with obesity that even though I hate the toll it has taken, I'm glad it's a burden we had to carry. Look forward toward all of the beauty, wonder, and awe this life has to offer. Grab it by the reigns and don't let go. Live life, don't let it slip away.

Be the mother, daughter, sister, and wife we were always destined to be- Because it's better late than never!

With so much hope,

Your Fat Self

[feedyoureye 3,087]

Lovely!

[Shemy-away 83]

what a great idea and very well written!

[nowatgoal 77]

Now I really wish I had written a letter to my skinny self too! I love this! So well written and heart felt. I am excited for your skinny self to read it one day in the very near future. It goes by so fast. Congrats and good luck for a smooth surgery.

[yecats 109]

You made me cry. I think you were writing to my (and many others) skinny self also.

Thank you

(((big hug))))

[tking66 0]

Awesome! Made me cry!

[mommy794 119]

me cry THREE, AMAZING! Esp. the part of not being in pics with your kids... yours are young and you still have time! Mine are 17 and 20 and I'm quickly running out of time for them to be JUST my kids... they are growing up so I hope now I will have alot more NEW pics to make up for all those lost years. Better late than NEVER

[Bedhead 158]

I'm glad you guys enjoyed it! I knew if anyone would be able to understand it would be all of you.

[Caradina 65]

Awww I cried too, right here at my desk at work! Thank you for sharing your eloquence. I think you speak for us all.

[D1NOnlySexyLady 70]

Beautifully written, plan on making a letter to myself before surgery

[virtygirl 11]

It was very well written and a really great idea. I can totally relate the pictures with the kids/family. I have a 16 year old son and I really need to have more pictures made of us together. My mother passed away six years ago and I really wish I had more pictures of her now. But I can still change that and it's now one more goal of mines and has been moved to the top of my list.

Thanks so much for sharing!

[Anna L. 3]

that was beautiful

[Shoppingbeemom 31]

I cried too! Your sentiments mirror my own.

[Bedhead 158]

Thank you!

[Bedhead 158]

Bumping for newer users so that maybe you can write a letter to your skinny self too